Ralph Kazer
Northwestern Medicine
Available Lines of Communication
Doctor email
Nurse email
Nurse email
Direct line to doctor
Direct line to nurse
Direct line to nurse
Not available by personal cell phone
Medical SchoolTufts
ResidencyTufts
FellowshipUCSD
Chicago
259 E. Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-695-7269
6 assessments
5
5
Age
34 - 35
Treated
2016 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
2 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Anovulation
5
5
While I like Dr. Kazer, there are many physicians at this practice, and so decisions regarding my treatment plan have not always been made by him. I'm not confident that they reviewed my chart prior to making their recommendations...Dr. Kazer does take the time to call you if you request it...He has a dry sense of humor...Be prepared to have a mandatory "psych eval", which they say is based on standard-of-care guideline recommendations. My insurance didn't cover this, and I had to pay $375 out of pocket for what was completely unnecessary.
I've been really disappointed in this clinic overall. Everything feels disorganized. I've had issues with the check-in desk, the financial coordinators have provided incorrect information, and I don't find the nursing staff warm or knowledgable. Many times, the ultrasound techs don't even introduce themselves. Be prepared to have a mandatory "psych eval", which they say is based on standard-of-care guideline recommendations. My insurance didn't cover this, and I had to pay $375 out of pocket...
Age
34 - 35
Treated
2016 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Race
Prefer not to answer
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
2 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Anovulation
5
5
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
While I like Dr. Kazer, there are many physicians at this practice, and so decisions regarding my treatment plan have not always been made by him. I'm not confident that they reviewed my chart prior to making their recommendations.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
He has a dry sense of humor
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr. Kazer does take the time to call you if you request it
Describe the protocols Ralph Kazer used in your cycles at Northwestern Medicine and their degree of success.
So far we are doing medicated IUI cycles.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
The nursing staff here is terrible. They are cold and frankly, don't seem particularly knowledgable. On multiple occasions, I've received incorrect information from them. Furthermore, I understand that people are allowed to get pregnant, but I think it's particularly insensitive to have a pregnant nurse interacting with infertility patients.
Describe your experience with Northwestern Medicine.
I've been really disappointed in this clinic overall. Everything feels disorganized. I've had issues with the check-in desk, the financial coordinators have provided incorrect information, and I don't find the nursing staff warm or knowledgable. Many times, the ultrasound techs don't even introduce themselves. Be prepared to have a mandatory "psych eval", which they say is based on standard-of-care guideline recommendations. My insurance didn't cover this, and I had to pay $375 out of pocket for what was completely unnecessary. I don't need someone to tell me this is going to be a stressful experience. Based upon my experiences, I don't think I will continue to seek treatment here.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine.
IUI's are $585
Parking is $11
Psych Consult was $375
HSG was $1092
Each ultrasound is $286
Each day of labs are $$251
Describe Ralph Kazer's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Northwestern Medicine.
unknown
What specific things went wrong at Northwestern Medicine?
- Lost appointments
- Provided conflicting information
- Scheduled the wrong procedure
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9
10
Age
37 - 39
Treated
2015 - 2017
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
5 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
9
10
If you need warm and fuzzy, you probably are best seeking out someone else...Dr. Kazer is very factual and does not mince words. He does show compassion, but he isn't a "warm and fuzzy" doctor. In my opinion, I really like that he is straightforward and factual. He says what needs to be said and lets you digest the information. He is happy to explain and answer questions and will not sugar-coat information. I trust him to provide me with the best fertility care.
While going through my IUI's [at Northwestern] there was a different nurse administering the sample each time. Now that I am going into IVF, I have a main point of contact that is in charge of my IVF program. All the nurses I have met and been treated by have been very professional, knowledgeable, and nice...They are a well oiled machine and are able to assist quite a few patients in a reasonable amount of time. They have early hours that are accessible to those who work an 8-5 schedule. It was also extremely nice that all things fertility (IUI, IVF, procedures, labs, etc..) were all located within the office.
Age
37 - 39
Treated
2015 - 2017
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
Sales Representative
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
5 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
9
10
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr. Kazer is very factual and does not mince words. He does show compassion, but he isn't a "warm and fuzzy" doctor. In my opinion, I really like that he is straightforward and factual. He says what needs to be said and lets you digest the information. He is happy to explain and answer questions and will not sugar-coat information. I trust him to provide me with the best fertility care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
If you need warm and fuzzy, you probably are best seeking out someone else.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
We had a late D&E due to my cervix thinning out with twins. Dr. Kazer actually visited us while in the hospital to speak with us and let us know that we could expect future pregnancies to go better than the one that put us in the hospital. He also reached out to me after our loss to express his condolences.
Describe the protocols Ralph Kazer used in your cycles at Northwestern Medicine and their degree of success.
We got pregnant with twins initially with our first round of IUI with Clomid and Ovidrell. After we lost the babies, we tried IUI again for 4 rounds unsuccessfully. We are now about to start IVF.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Northwestern Medicine. (Assigned nurse: Joyce Kane)
While going through my IUI's there was a different nurse administering the sample each time. Now that I am going into IVF, I have a main point of contact that is in charge of my IVF program. All the nurses I have met and been treated by have been very professional, knowledgeable, and nice.
Describe your experience with Northwestern Medicine.
Going to Northwestern downtown, it is expensive to park. The new area where the clinic is located, is gorgeous. The views are amazing. They are a well oiled machine and are able to assist quite a few patients in a reasonable amount of time. They have early hours that are accessible to those who work an 8-5 schedule. It was also extremely nice that all things fertility (IUI, IVF, procedures, labs, etc..) were all located within the office.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine.
Most people in IL are able to get multiple rounds of IVF paid for, but unfortunately because I work for small company, I was not as luck. We have to pay $10,000 for the IVF treatment coming up. For each IUI, it was approximately $780. Medication is a separate cost which is about $4,500 for IVF and $150 for IUI.
Describe Ralph Kazer's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Northwestern Medicine.
We will only do single embryo transfer because of my history of a thinning cervix with twins. I completely agree with his strategy.
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8
8
Age
32 - 35
Treated
2013 - 2016
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
5 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
8
8
He [Dr. Kazer] was very Matter of fact and didn't sugar coat anything. He just told us the treatment and odds. My husband liked this quality about him, but I prefer more compassion and listening and individual attention. He was good at answering my questions, but I had to prompt him. He didn't offer a lot of information up front. Most of my interaction with the clinic was through the RNs and APNs and sometimes I didn't feel like they were communicating all my questions or concerns to him. Overall, I knew he had a lot of experience and I trusted his expertise, I just wish he was better at communicating his thoughts and reasonings with us...
[Northwestern Med] Strengths-early morning hours, efficient, beautiful location, prompt responses. Weaknesses- expensive parking (even with discount), not a lot of individual attention, didn't feel as if they knew me or my story at all. Overall I have had a good experience, but not exceptional. It may be different when going through IVF...They were very prompt at replying to my calls or messages, which I always appreciated...
Age
32 - 35
Treated
2013 - 2016
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$200K - $499K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
5 IUI
Diagnosis
Unexplained
8
8
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
He was very Matter of fact and didn't sugar coat anything. He just told us the treatment and odds. My husband liked this quality about him, but I prefer more compassion and listening and individual attention. He was good at answering my questions, but I had to prompt him. He didn't offer a lot of information up front. Most of my interaction with the clinic was through the RNs and APNs and sometimes I didn't feel like they were communicating all my questions or concerns to him. Overall, I knew he had a lot of experience and I trusted his expertise, I just wish he was better at communicating his thoughts and reasonings with us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Come with lots of questions ready.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
There wasn't a lot of one on one attention to our particular story. It felt like, 'well this is how we do things so let's try it.' There wasn't a lot of investigating the why.
Describe the protocols Ralph Kazer used in your cycles at Northwestern Medicine and their degree of success.
We have unexplained infertility and got pregnant the first IUI + 50 mg clomid + trigger shot cycle. When we returned 3 years later, we tried this again twice. Then after no success, we tried same protocol with 100 mg clomid (to increase the follicles) for 2 more times. No luck so far. We are currently deciding whether or not to do one final IUI or proceed to IVF.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
They were very prompt at replying to my calls or messages, which I always appreciated. The downside was that it was often clear that they didn't review my chart before seeing me and needed me to fill in a lot of the blanks regarding my treatment. There was no continuity of care as I saw a new RN almost each time. I didn't feel like they knew me or my story.
Describe your experience with Northwestern Medicine.
Strengths-early morning hours, efficient, beautiful location, prompt responses.
Weaknesses- expensive parking (even with discount), not a lot of individual attention, didn't feel as if they knew me or my story at all.
Overall I have had a good experience, but not exceptional. It may be different when going through IVF.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine.
Covered by insurance, so I am not sure of the costs (paid deductible).
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10
10
Age
34 - 40
Treated
2005 - 2011
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
4 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
10
10
Dr. Kazer was attentive and approachable. He communicated regularly and clearly. He was kind and patient with my husband and me...Dr. Kazer was kind and compassionate. He was upfront with all information clearly set objectives. He was confident and professional while maintaining a good bedside manner. He always returned phone calls and called with test results himself...I have referred Dr. Kazer to several other friends who are experiencing problems conceiving.
The clinic [Northwestern Med] was downtown so convenient with parking available. The timing for visits made it possible for me to receive treatments, go for tests, bloodwork, ultrasounds and still go to work...The nurses were so friendly. With the multiple visits, they were always so friendly and kind. They seemed like friends by the time the process was over...We needed to pay for freezing and testing sperm. We needed to pay with co-pays for hormone pills and injections.
Age
34 - 40
Treated
2005 - 2011
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
Teacher
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
4 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
10
10
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr. Kazer was kind and compassionate. He was upfront with all information clearly set objectives. He was confident and professional while maintaining a good bedside manner. He always returned phone calls and called with test results himself.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Make an appointment with him. He knows his profession and is an amazing doctor.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr. Kazer was attentive and approachable. He communicated regularly and clearly. He was kind and patient with my husband and me. I have referred Dr. Kazer to several other friends who are experiencing problems conceiving.
Describe the protocols Ralph Kazer used in your cycles at Northwestern Medicine and their degree of success.
With my son, we used clomid first to stimulate growth. We then moved on to IUI. Again we used clomid and injections to release the eggs. We had 3 IUI resulting in 1 single successful pregnancy.
When I went back to see Dr. Kazer to conceive again, we went directly to IUI. Clomid and an injection to release eggs. After one failed IUI, we began the IVF process. I cannot remember the drug names. I used some hormonal injections to grow eggs. We did the retrieval and progesterone shots following. I had 2 single transfers of embryos and then transferred 2 embryos resulting in multiple(twin) pregnancy.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
The nurses were so friendly. With the multiple visits, they were always so friendly and kind. They seemed like friends by the time the process was over.
Describe your experience with Northwestern Medicine.
The clinic was downtown so convenient with parking available. The timing for visits made it possible for me to receive treatments, go for tests, bloodwork, ultrasounds and still go to work.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Northwestern Medicine.
It was very efficient. Hours of availability made the process easier.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine.
My insurance covered most everything. We needed to pay for freezing and testing sperm. We needed to pay with co-pays for hormone pills and injections.
Describe Ralph Kazer's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Northwestern Medicine.
Dr. Kazer gave me the choice for the eSET and then recommended the multiple embryo transfer when the 2 eSET were unsuccessful
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10
10
Age
28 - 31
Treated
2011 - 2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
1 IUI, 1 IVF, 1 Egg Freezing
Diagnosis
Anovulation, Unexplained
10
10
Dr Kazer was hands on and as invested in getting me pregnant as I was. Dr Kazer always took the time to talk to me in person or on the phone about my treatment. While being very upfront with medicine and its statistics he remained a my cheerleader as well. He was always warm, and when he could add humor to the situation he never hesitated.
Dr Kazer [at Northwestern Fertility] was hands on and as invested in getting me pregnant as I was. Dr Kazer always took the time to talk to me in person or on the phone about my treatment. While being very upfront with medicine and its statistics he remained a my cheerleader as well. He was always warm, and when he could add humor to the situation he never hesitated.
Age
28 - 31
Treated
2011 - 2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$500K
Occupation
Lawyer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
1 IUI, 1 IVF, 1 Egg Freezing
Diagnosis
Anovulation, Unexplained
10
10
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr Kazer was hands on and as invested in getting me pregnant as I was. Dr Kazer always took the time to talk to me in person or on the phone about my treatment. While being very upfront with medicine and its statistics he remained a my cheerleader as well. He was always warm, and when he could add humor to the situation he never hesitated.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Totally trust him. He knows what he is doing.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Dr Kazer was very upfront medically while being very caring compassionate and funny.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
They always asked you to call them anytime to talk about anything.
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10
10
Age
40 - 41
Treated
2011 - 2012
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
3 IVF
Diagnosis
Male Factor, Unexplained
10
10
He [Dr. Ralph Kazer] cares but doesn't sugar coat anything which I like...He is blunt and truthful. He is also caring and compassionate. He lets you know factually how likely pregnancy is and doesn't give any false hopes. I am happy he was my doctor. He was extremely helpful...I had to do injections anf daily blood draws then use progesterone to keep levels high
He [Dr. Ralph Kazer] cares but doesn't sugar coat anything which I like...He is blunt and truthful. He is also caring and compassionate. He lets you know factually how likely pregnancy is and doesn't give any false hopes. I am happy he was my doctor. He was extremely helpful...I had to do injections anf daily blood draws then use progesterone to keep levels high
Age
40 - 41
Treated
2011 - 2012
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
Prefer not to answer
Income
—
Occupation
Teacher
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
3 IVF
Diagnosis
Male Factor, Unexplained
10
10
How was your experience with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
He is blunt and truthful. He is also caring and compassionate. He lets you know factually how likely pregnancy is and doesn't give any false hopes. I am happy he was my doctor. He was extremely helpful
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
Ask as many questions as you. Red to feel comfortable about the process
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ralph Kazer at Northwestern Medicine?
He cares but doesn't sugar coat anything which I like
Describe the protocols Ralph Kazer used in your cycles at Northwestern Medicine and their degree of success.
I had to do injections anf daily blood draws then use progesterone to keep levels high
Describe your experience with Northwestern Medicine.
Very nice clean and helpful staff
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